Storytelling

The theme of storytelling is integral to Florence's childhood and the way she processes the turbulent events of the summer when she was ten-years-old. Growing up, Florence was told stories by many different people trying to teach her life lessons. From Grandpops, Florence learned the stories of Br'er Rabbit and Uncle Wiggily, two rabbits down-on-their luck who use pluck and ingenuity to survive in the cruel world. From Daddy, Florence learns the story of Bomba and the Swamp, which teaches her that everything white (including people) is good, while everything black is evil. From Zenie, Florence learns the stories of the Queen of Palmyra, a black Queen who leads her people with dignity, honor, and force. Many of these stories serve as symbols for lessons directly related to the conflicts in The Queen of Palmyra, but it is Florence's lessons on storytelling itself that holds the most resonance...